"Wherever there is theological talk, it is always implicitly and explicitly political talk also." -Karl Barth Barth said this in response to being asked to avoid political issues when delivering lectures in Holland at the time that the Nazis were gaining control in Germany. His comment rings true today. With our culture shifting so dramatically and rapidly, one is not req...

A consideration of Martin Luther's teaching on how to approach prayer. ...

The full title given this letter is "The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna Concerning the Martyrdom of the Holy Polycarp." This letter came from the Church in Smyrna to the Church in Philomelium written to give an account of the martyrdom of Polycarp. The church sent the original by a gentleman named Marcus and requested that, once those in Philomelium had read t...

Briefly Considered: The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle John and was said to have met with numerous people who knew Jesus. He was held in very high regard among the churches as is indicated by his being titled "holy" Polycarp in the letter concerning his martyrdom from the church at Smyrna. We do not know the date of this let...

How Mathetes' evangelistic approach shocks and humbles me....

Clement writes a letter condemning the sin of envy that was manifesting itself in the church in Corinth in the form of ministers being kicked out of office. Clement writes a treatise against envy that is relevant in a multitude of situations. ...

A reflection on Psalm 131: A Song of Ascents of David. O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. As a "Psalm of ascents," this was likely a Psalm that was su...

Read during worship in the Lord's Day at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 8/20/17 Based upon Galatians 5:16-25 with promise of forgiveness in Acts 10:43 Almighty God, heavenly Father, we come before you confessing that we have too often gratified the desires of our sinful nature and have not borne the fruit of your Spirit as we ought. We are deeply sorry and we humbly ...

Confession based upon Philippians 2:1-13; Matt. 6:31-33 Heavenly Father, we confess that we have often acted out of selfish ambition in our lives. We have not considered others more significant than ourselves, but instead, we have sought to put our own desires and ambitions first. When given opportunities to look to the interests of others, we have asked "What's in it for...

Based upon Psalm 2 Our Father in heaven, we confess that we have too often sided with the rulers of this world and stood as the kings of our own hearts against the cause of Christ in our lives. And yet we give thanks that You have installed Your Son, Jesus, as the head of the church and pray that He would subdue us more and more to his loving rule. Help us by your Holy Sp...